In a significant move towards sustainable development and social welfare, the Himachal Pradesh Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister **Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu**, approved a series of key decisions during its meeting held today in Shimla. The decisions reflect the government’s strong focus on promoting electric mobility, strengthening healthcare and education infrastructure, and expanding opportunities for employment and youth empowerment.
One of the major highlights of the meeting was the Cabinet’s approval allowing the **Transport Department** to issue permissions for converting **1,000 existing diesel and petrol taxis into electric vehicles**. This initiative, under the *Rajiv Gandhi Swarozgar Yojna*, comes with a **40 percent subsidy** to encourage eco-friendly public transport and reduce carbon emissions.
Welfare and Honorarium Hike
The Cabinet also decided to **enhance the monthly honorarium of Special Police Officers (SPOs)** by ₹300 from April 1, 2025, benefitting **510 officers** across the state — 403 from non-tribal and 107 from tribal areas. In another move reflecting the government’s commitment to grassroots workers, it granted **ex-post facto approval** for a **₹500 monthly increase** in the honorarium for **SMC teachers (TGT, C&V, JBT, Lecturers, DPEs)**, **IT and Computer Teachers**, **Mid-Day Meal Workers**, and **Part-Time Water Carriers**, effective from the same date.
Agricultural and Rural Development Focus
To promote sustainable farming, the Cabinet approved measures to **streamline the implementation and monitoring** of the *Prakritik Kheti Khushhal Kisan Yojna* and the *H.P. Crop Diversification Project (JICA-Phase-II)*. The new mechanism aims to improve coordination between departments and ensure effective governance for better outcomes.
Additionally, a **Cabinet Sub-Committee** headed by Revenue Minister **Jagat Singh Negi** was formed to finalize **Rural Area Development Guidelines**, providing *Model By-laws* for regulating construction activities in rural areas.
New Opportunities for Sportspersons and Job Seekers
Expanding its support to sports, the government added **19 new games**—including *Baseball, Rugby, Wushu, Kickboxing, Para Sports, and Fencing*—to the list that qualifies **meritorious sportspersons** for government appointments under Group A, B, C, and D categories.
To enhance digital administration, the Cabinet approved the creation of a **separate State Cadre for Junior Office Assistants (IT)**, starting with **300 posts as Job Trainees** in the first phase.
Strengthening Health and Education Infrastructure
In a major push to the healthcare sector, the Cabinet approved the **construction of the new Nahan Medical College**, along with ex-post facto permission for new postgraduate and super-specialty courses across state medical institutions. It also sanctioned the **transfer of 32 Assistant Professor posts** to newly created departments of **Emergency Medicine** and approved framing of a **new Resident Doctors Policy–2025**.
Further, the Cabinet gave an *in-principle approval* for a **new policy to regulate the appointment of Assistant Staff Nurses**, enhancing employment opportunities in the state’s health sector.
Promoting Solar Energy and Tourism Investments
To boost renewable energy, the Cabinet approved amendments to the **Ground Mounted Solar Power Project Scheme**, now renamed as **Rajiv Gandhi Swarozgar Saur Urja Yojna**. Under this, the state will provide **5% interest subsidy in tribal areas** and **4% in non-tribal areas** for setting up solar projects ranging from **100 KW to 2 MW**.
In another progressive decision, the government approved the formation of a **Tourism Investment Promotion Council (TIPC)** to attract, evaluate, and facilitate tourism investments efficiently and transparently.
Education and Family Welfare Initiatives
Reaffirming its commitment to education, the Cabinet approved amendments in the **Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar Vidyarthi Rin Yojna**. Now, students pursuing **post-graduation** will also be eligible for **education loans at a concessional 1% interest rate**, with the **family income limit raised from ₹4 lakh to ₹12 lakh per annum**.
Additionally, the Cabinet announced the opening of **three new Government Primary Schools** in Solan district—at *Haripur Sandholi-II, Surajmajra Lubana,* and *Chkkan* in Block Baddi—and approved **15 days of paternity leave for male contract employees** across the state.
These decisions mark another milestone in Himachal Pradesh’s journey toward inclusive growth, social security, and sustainable development under the leadership of **Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu**.
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